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Purpose and Progress in the Theory of Strategy: Comments on Gavetti

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  • Sidney G. Winter

    (The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104)

Abstract

This article comments on the behavioral theory of strategy advanced in Gavetti [Gavetti, G. 2012. Toward a behavioral theory of strategy. Organ. Sci. 23 (1) 267–285]. His proposal offers valuable insights into the cognitive aspects of strategy when leaders are trying for big wins. It provides less guidance for understanding the actual achievement of success, partly because it underestimates the role of serendipity and of contextual factors illuminated by prior strategy research.

Suggested Citation

  • Sidney G. Winter, 2012. "Purpose and Progress in the Theory of Strategy: Comments on Gavetti," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 288-297, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:23:y:2012:i:1:p:288-297
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1110.0696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Zhou, William Chongyang & Yan, Daying & Sun, Sunny Li, 2022. "Climbing the Ladder: Inward Sourcing as an Upgrading Capability in Global Value Chains," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    7. Levine, Sheen S. & Reypens, Charlotte, 2016. "Small Differences in Experience Bring Large Differences in Performance," MPRA Paper 82858, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Nicholas S. Argyres & Teppo Felin & Nicolai Foss & Todd Zenger, 2012. "Organizational Economics of Capability and Heterogeneity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(5), pages 1213-1226, October.
    9. Teppo Felin & Todd R. Zenger, 2016. "CROSSROADS—Strategy, Problems, and a Theory for the Firm," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(1), pages 222-231, February.
    10. Jinsil Kim & Kyun Kim, 2018. "How does local partners network embeddedness affect international joint venture survival in different subnational contexts?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 1055-1080, December.
    11. Jan-Erik Vahlne & Jan Johanson, 2017. "From internationalization to evolution: The Uppsala model at 40 years," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(9), pages 1087-1102, December.
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    14. Patrick Planing, 2017. "On the origin of innovations—the opportunity vacuum as a conceptual model for the explanation of innovation," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-18, December.

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